Hoyer Statement on Federal Pay Freeze Bill

WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement in opposition to H.R. 6726, which would extend the civilian federal employee pay freeze for an additional year:

“Today House Republicans continued their attack on hardworking federal employees by bringing to the Floor a bill that would extend the pay freeze on civilian federal employees for another year. I strongly oppose such a move – which, fortunately, has no chance of passing the Senate – because middle-class federal employees have already contributed nearly $90 billion toward deficit reduction through reduced pay and pension benefits at a time when other groups have not been asked to contribute.

“On top of this current pay freeze, starting today, newly hired employees, compared to federal employees hired before January 1, will see their pay decreased by 2.3% as a result of a change that was enacted to the federal pension system last winter. This change will yield an additional $15 billion in deficit reduction over ten years.

“I am very disappointed that the first bill House Republicans have scheduled for consideration in 2013 will ask even more of those who have given so much to our nation as we have faced great challenges these past few years. As we begin the new year, I hope that Republicans will reconsider their attacks on our federal employees and work with Democrats to ensure we have the tools necessary to recruit and retain the skilled and experienced civilian federal workforce that America deserves.”